Shoeshine machine



Oct. 27, 1959 Filed Nov. 14, 1956 Fig./

C. J. SHIRLEY SHOESHINE MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 a}? F n r as El 9 85 Ell Fig.2

Oct. 27; 1959 c. J. SHIRLEY 2,909,793

SHOESHINE MACHINE Filed Nov. 14, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fig.5

*ka a7 6 lo Chris J. Shirley INVENTOR.

Oct. 27, 1959 c. J. SHIRLEY SHOESHINE MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 14, 1956 Chris J. Shirley INVENTOR.

/4 BY WM MF]:

United States Patent 2,909,793 SHOESI-HNE MACHINE Chris J. Shirley, Coushatta, La.

Application November 14, 1956, Serial No. 622,087

3 Claims. (Cl. 1531) This invention relates to shoeshine machines and more particularly to an automatic machine which is capable of fully shining shoes through all of the necessary steps.

An object of the invention is to provide a practical machine for automatically performing the sequential steps of first cleaning the shoes in order to remove the dust and dirt therefrom, and then applying polish in the proper amount on the shoes and finally, buffing the shoes to a satisfactory shined condition.

A further object of this invention is to provide a mechanical shoeshine machine wherein the shoes are respectively shined by holding them in between a plurality of rotating brushes, the brushes rapidly polishing, buffing, cleaning the surfaces of the shoes not only on the sides but also on the tops thereof in order to obtain a complete shine by merely placing one shoe on theshoe sup port of the machine.

Prior shoeshine machines have been attempted. However, automatic machines of. this nature are not completely successful because of their complexity and their failure to fully shine the shoes. Accordingly, it is a further object of the invention to provide a machine which is compact and effective, serving the intended purpose of shining shoes with a high degree of success in that brushes are so arranged and are so rotated that they find each small area and surface of the shoes. Moreover, the machine is so constructed that it is extremely easy to use. The individual desiring to have his shoes shined need only place his shoe on the shoe support and start the cycle of operation of the machine. This cycle may be initiated by a number of different means, two of'which are simply actuating a switch or in the case of a coin control machine, placing an appropriate coin in the coin receiving slot which in turn, will close a switch to commence operation of the electric motor which powers the machine.

A further object of the invention is to provide a completely automatic machine in the sense that it is unnecessary to manipulate any control once the cycle of operation commences. The person places his shoe on the shoe support and the machine automatically sets into motion a plurality of pairs of brushes, two being reserved for polishing, two being reserved for buifing and the other two being reserved for the initial cleansing prior to the application of polish. At the same time that the pairs 2 companying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is an elevational side view of a machine which is constructed in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is an end view of the machine in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an elevational side view of the side of the machine opposite to that shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an end view of the machine opposite to that of Figure 2; v

Figure 5 is a top view of the machine in Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 66 of Figure 5; I

Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional view along approximately the center line of the machine in Figure 5;

Figure 8 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 5, and

Figure 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 99 of Figure 5 and showing principally the means for periodically moving the shoe polish applicator in between the rotating shoe polish applying brushes.

In the accompanying drawings there is a machine 10 which is constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention. It is constructed of a frame 12, the latter consisting of a pair of bottom frame members 14 and 16 together with a cross member '18 on which the motor 29 is mounted. Upper horizontal frame members 22 and 24 are held above the lower frame members 14 and 16 by means of upright members 25, 26, 27 and 28 respectively which are welded or otherwise securedto the lower frame members 14 and 16. A transverse upper frame member '30 is secured to the upperends of the upright members 26 and 28 respectively in order to hold the entire structure rigid. Transverse frame member 32 parallel to the frame member 30 is secured at the upper ends of uprights 25 and 27 also to aid in serving this purpose. Side supports 36 and 38, each consisting of a pair of upwardly converging legs and a cross member at the top, are rigidly secured to the upper side members 22 and 24, respectively. Bearings 49 and 42 are bolted or otherwise secured to the top of the support, the bearings accommodating shaft 44 which is mounted for rotation therein. This shaft has constantly rotating bufiing brush 46 which functions to buff the top surface of the shoes which are being shined in the shoeshine machine '10.

A pair of rotary plates 50 and 52 are mounted between the sides of the frame, the plates having a central opening through which sleeve 54 is passed. The sleeve is welded or otherwise fixed to the pair of rotary plates, at least one of which is circular in order to have the teeth 56 thereon, whereby one of the plates functions as a large gear. There are three pairs of brushes mounted for rotation between the two plates 50 and 52. The pair 57 of brushes consists of circular brushes 58 and 59, the two brushes being keyed or otherwise fixed to a common shaft 69 that extends through bearing forming openings in the opposite plates 50 and 52. The pair 57 of brushes is used to perform initial cleaning operation on the shoes. Moreover, the brushes 58 and 59, like all of the other brushes of the three pairs, are spaced a distance to permit the bristles of brush 46 which is keyed or otherwise fixed onto shaft 44, to pass in between the spaced confronting ends of the bristles of the brushes. The pair 61 of brushes consisting of brushes 62 and 63 are mounted on the common shaft 64, the latter also passing through apertures in the plates 50 and 52. The pair of brushes 61 are used for the purpose of applying shoe polish onto the shoe. Finally, the pair 65 of brushes which consist of brushes es and s7, is mounted for rota tion on and with shaft 68, the latter extending through opposed apertures in the two plates 52. Each of the brushes in the pairs of brushes described prev made of a fiat back or essentially flat back with h hair of one type or another, nylon or other mater tending therefrom. Shoe support 69 extends betw uppermost pair of brushes and is made of a strap 7 ing a flat platform 71 at the top and having ends downwardly in order to bolt or o" erwi manner onto the frame. in this regard strap are formed with a plurality of ures 2 and 4) and bolts and respectively pass through selected apertures in Order that "on of the platform 71 may be adju brush 46 and within the space he brushes of the uppermost pair.

The motor 2%) drives brush it: continually, rotates the three pairs of brushes 57, 61 and 6-5 respectively continually and rotates the large plate 52 and therefore plate Sll at a relatively slow speed. This is accomplished by having pulley 78 secured to shaft 7), the latter being supported by bearings 80 and 81 which are bolted or other wise secured to the uprights 26 and 27. Belt 83 is entrained around the pulley 34 on the shaft or motor and around the large pulley 78. The opposite end of shaft has a small pu ley 35 secured thereto and a belt 86 engaged eiewith. This belt is entrained around a large pulley 87, the latter being secured to shaft 88 at one end. The opposite d of shaft 83 accommodates a small pulley a and ich belt 98 is entrained. This belt is also entrained around a large pulley 91 which is fixed on shaft 9;? thereby causing it to rotate. This shaft has a gear )5 (Figure 6) keyed or otherwise secured thereon, and the teeth of gear W) are engaged at all times with three pinions $5, and 97 respectively which are affixed to the outer ends of shafts 649, 68 and 64 respectively, these three sh fts being shafts on which the pairs of brushes are secured. Accordingly, it is now understood that as soon as the motor is actuated, the brushes in the pairs of brushes will be actuated at a rather rapid rate. At the same time the pair of plates di) and 52 are rotated slowly. This rotation is obtained by having pinions fixed onto shaft 38 and engaged with the teeth fa view of the relative sizes of the pinion 9 and gear 52, the gear will be rotated at a rather slow speed in comparison to the rotation of the pairs of brushes 57, 61 65 respectively.

The previously described brush 2-6 is rotated continually by having belts l lli entrained around a pulley M2 at one end of shaft 44 and also around a pulley 104 which is fixed for rotation with and on shaft Pulley 194- may be a double pulley with the previously mentioned pulley 91 or may be separate. Accordingly any time the other brushes in the machine are in operation the brush 4: will be rotated.

Periodically shoe polish hoLer ill) is moved up between the shoe polish appli at. r brushes all in order that a quantity shoe polish may be r .bbed thereon for application on the shoes. The shoe polish holder 119 consists of a support capable of holding two quantities of shoe polish on opposite sides thereof, as by clamps, and ca ried by an arm 112 that is secured to a rocker lid. This rocker is carried in bearings 135 and lid (Figure 4} .on the uprights 25 and 27 of the frame. An actuating arm 18 is fixed to the rocker and has an end that is contacted and pushed by pin 1J3. the latter being fixed to the plate 52 and otruding from the outer surface thereof. The spring 12 is secured at one end to the arm 112 and to the lower frame member The spring constantly yieldingly pulls th 115 in one direction so as to return the sh polish hold r to and out of be tween the pair of shoe polish applicator brushes 61. A stop 128 welded to the upright frame member 25' restricts the travel of the shoe polish holder in the opposite direction.

In operation the person using the machine places his shoe while on his foot, on platform '71 either before or after starting the operation of the machine. When the machine is set into operation the pairs of brushes are set into motion at a rate faster than the rotary motion of the plates 50 and 52 which rotatively support the pairs of brushes. The upper brush do revolves rapidly, and the shoe polish applicator is operated periodicahy to apply one charge of shoe polish onto the polishing brushes for each cycle of operation of the machine.

First the cleaning brushes 57 are brought up and in contact with the shoe. Then the shoe polish brushes 61 come up to the platform '71 and apply shoe polish thereon on the shoes supported thereon. Then, a short time later the bulfing brushes are revolved around to such position that the shoe is buffed. Then, the cycle of operation is ready to commence again and a different shoe is placed on the platform 71. This procedure is repeated any num ber of times.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and de scribed, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A shoe polishing machine comprising the combination of a frame, a pair of spaced plates, pairs of brushes located between and rotatably carried by said pair of plates, the brushes of each pair spaced from each other, means for rotating said pair of plates at a predetermined speed and means for rotating said pa's of brushes at a greater speed than said predetermined speed, whereby the rotational speed of said brushes exceeds the rotational speed of said plates, the brushes of said pairs spaced to form a shoe receiving zone in which to accommodate a shoe while being polished, a shoe support including a platform located in a selected fixed position between the brushes of said pairs of brushes and adapted to remain in one place while the successive pairs of brushes carried by said plates are moved against the shoe, one pair of said pairs of brushes constituting shoe polish appncator brushes that are adapted to apply shoe polish onto the shoe, means periodically operative in response to rotation of said pair of plates to supply said shoe polish applicator brushes with a charge of shoe polish, said periodically operative means in luding a trip on one of said plates, a rocker carried by said frame, a first arm attached to said rocker and in the path of travel of said trip to be actuated by said trip, a second arm secured to said rocker, a polish holder carried by said second arm and adapted to swing into the space between said plates in response to oscillation of said second arm, means to move said arms to a rest position until. said first arm is again contacted by said trip, a rotary brush mounted adacent to said pair of plates and carried by said frame, said rotary brush having .les which are adapted to sweep oss the top of the shoe on the platform, said bristles tted between the brushes of said pairs of brushes, said platform having ends which extend beyond the lateral extremities of the brushes on said plates and said said zone between said pairs of brushes being open d platform to form shoe entrances at both ends of said platform to receive a shoe from either end of said zone or from both ends of said. zone simultaneously.

2. The shoe polishing machine of claim 1 wherein here are adjustable r -cans securing said platform to said rrarne so that the elevatio of said platform with respect to the rotating plates and brushes said rotating plates may be regulated.

3. The shoe polishing machine of claim 2 wherein said 527,900 Sweetland Oct. 23, 1894 platform is constructed of a flat member that has down- 547,204 Farinetti Oct. 1, 1895 turned ends, and said means adjustably securing said 902,254 Von Salviati Oct. 27, 1908 platform to said frame including a bolt and a plurality 902,390 Ford Oct. 27, 1908 of apertures in one of the down turned ends of said plat- 5 1,160,613 Illing Nov. 16, 1915 form. 1,266,082 Taliaferro May 14, 1918 1,283,106 De Lano Oct. 29, 1918 References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 526,362 Bicknell Sept. 18, 1894 

